The Beetronics Octahive Dual FS is a high gain fuzz pedal with a well pronounced high pitch octave, built on the circuit of the 1970s Tycobrahe Octavia. Beetronics describes it as a pedal that "can produce classic and modern sounds," with two knobs, PRE and Honey, and a toggle switch that turns the octave on or off1. It is a dual footswitch version of the Beetronics OctaHive, sold in limited edition and Custom Shop finishes, and the maker's own listings show the runs have sold out1.
A fuzz with a high octave
The OctaHive is, in Beetronics' words, "super high gain fuzz with a well pronounced high pitch octave"1. The octave sits on top of the fuzz, an effect that traces back to the Octavia circuits of the late 1960s and 1970s, where a transformer and diode pair generate a doubled frequency that tracks the note you play. On the Octahive Dual FS, that octave character is at the front of the design rather than a hidden byproduct.
Beetronics describes what the octave mode does at different settings. At full gain, "things can get really nasty, splashy and gated," which the maker says is great for high gain leads, especially played above the 12th fret. At low gain settings, the pedal can produce "ring modulator" overtones, which Beetronics suggests are great for textures1.
"On the octave mode, things can get really nasty, splashy and gated. It's great for high gain leads, specially when played above the 12th fret."
The controls: PRE, Honey and the octave toggle
The pedal keeps its control set small: two knobs and a toggle.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| PRE | Gain control. Rolling it off helps achieve a well pronounced octave sound2 |
| Honey | Works against PRE; the balance between the two is the key to a variety of sounds1 |
| Octave toggle | Turns the octave on or off1 |
The interaction between the two knobs is the heart of the pedal. Beetronics says "the balance between PRE and Honey is the key to achieve a variety of sounds"1. For a clear octave, the maker's guidance is to roll off the PRE gain and the tone control on your guitar2.
The Purple Haze setting
For the sound most players associate with this type of pedal, Beetronics is direct: "With a little less HONEY you can get that 'purple haze' tone"2. In practice that means the octave switched on, the HONEY control backed off from maximum, and the PRE gain and guitar tone rolled back enough for the octave to speak clearly2.
Octave off: a second pedal in the box
The toggle switch turns the octave off, and Beetronics describes the result as a whole different pedal134.
"With the octave off, it's a whole different pedal, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone, making it more versatile and 'chord friendly'."
That octave-off mode is what makes the pedal usable for chords and rhythm work, where a high octave fuzz would normally turn muddy or harsh. Players comparing octave fuzzes can weigh this against the Beetronics WhoctaHell, which works with a low octave instead, or the Beetronics Vezzpa Octave Stinger for a different take on octave fuzz134.
Based on the Tycobrahe Octavia
Beetronics states plainly where the circuit comes from: "The OctaHive was based on the 1970's Tycobrahe Octavia and it can produce classic and modern sounds"1. The Tycobrahe Octavia was one of the classic octave fuzz designs of its era, and the Octahive Dual FS carries that lineage in a modern hand-finished enclosure. Every Octahive Dual FS listing repeats the same description, from the limited editions to the Custom Shop units435.
Power, size and weight
The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug, and the power supply is not included, so you need your own adapter1.
The Octahive Dual FS needs a 9V DC center negative power supply, and Beetronics does not include one in the box. There is no battery option, so the pedal cannot run without an external supply1.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Enclosure size | 5.5" x 3.25" x 2"1 |
| Pedal size (with knobs and switches) | 5.5" x 4" x 2.75"1 |
| Pedal weight | 1 lb / 0.5 kilos1 |
| Package size | 6.75" x 5.25" x 3.25"1 |
| Package weight | 1 lb 8 oz / 0.75 kilos1 |
Versions and limited editions
The Octahive Dual FS was released in a series of limited edition and Custom Shop finishes, each with the same circuit and controls. Beetronics' own listings show all of them sold out126.
| Version | Finish | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition Gray/Red | Gray/Red | Sold out1 |
| Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition Pink/Silver | Pink/Silver | Sold out4 |
| Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition Blue | Blue | Sold out3 |
| Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition LA Purple | LA Purple | Sold out5 |
| Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin" | Great Pumpkin | Sold out7 |
| Octahive Dual FS The BlackBee Edition | BlackBee | Sold out8 |
| OctaHive High Octave Fuzz Custom Shop Dual FS | Custom Shop | Sold out2 |
Beyond the Dual FS versions, the Octahive family includes the Octahive V2 High Octave Buzz, released in a Limited Edition Babee Blue finish9, and the Octahive V2 Custom Shop line106. The "American Beeauty" Custom Series Dual Footswitch version carries the same circuit description and control set11, and the OctaHive also appears in Beetronics' Custom Series range12.
Beetronics covers the pedal with a 30-Day Hive Happiness Guarantee, with shipping not included. Returns require an email within 30 business days of receiving the order to get an RMA form; a full refund applies if the pedal comes back in new condition in its original packaging, while a worn or incomplete return may carry a 15% restocking fee or store credit instead1.
Questions
What power supply does the Beetronics Octahive need?
It requires a 9V DC power supply with a center negative plug. The pedal does not run on a battery, so you need a standard 9V DC center negative adapter or an isolated pedalboard power supply with the correct polarity.
Does the Octahive come with a power supply?
No. Beetronics states on the product page that the Octahive Dual FS does not include a power supply, so you need to supply your own 9V DC center negative adapter before you can use the pedal.
How do you get the Purple Haze sound from the Octahive?
Switch the octave on and back off the HONEY control. Beetronics says that with a little less HONEY you can get that "purple haze" tone. Rolling off the PRE gain and the tone control on your guitar also helps achieve a well pronounced octave sound.
Can the Octahive be used without the octave?
Yes. A toggle switch turns the octave off, and Beetronics describes the result as a whole different pedal, producing a warmer and thicker fuzz tone that is more versatile and chord friendly than the octave mode.
How big is the Beetronics Octahive Dual FS?
The pedal measures 5.5 by 4 by 2.75 inches including knobs and switches, in a 5.5 by 3.25 by 2 inch enclosure. It weighs 1 lb (0.5 kilos), and the boxed package is 6.75 by 5.25 by 3.25 inches at 1 lb 8 oz.
What is the difference between the Octahive and the Octahive Dual FS?
The Dual FS is a version of the Octahive high octave fuzz with two footswitches, sold in limited edition and Custom Shop finishes. The core circuit is the same: a high gain fuzz with a switchable high pitch octave based on the 1970s Tycobrahe Octavia.
Sources (12)
- Octahive Dual FS, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- Octahive High Octave Fuzz Custom Shop Dual FS OH1995, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition Blue, Beetronics
- Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition, Beetronics (www.beetronicsfx.com)
- Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition LA Purple, Beetronics
- Octahive High Octave Fuzz Custom Shop Dual FS OH1715, Beetronics
- Octahive Dual FS Limited Edition "Great Pumpkin", Beetronics
- Octahive Dual FS The Blackbee Edition, Beetronics
- Octahive v2 High Octave Buzz Limited Edition Babee Blue, Beetronics
- Octahive v2 • Custom Shop • 420, Beetronics
- Octahive "American Beeauty" Custom Series (Dual Footswitch), Beetronics (beetronicsfx.com)
- Octahive, Beetronics
